Colorado Governor Jared Polis Under Fire for Ignoring Rural Areas During Freezing Temperatures
The recent freezing temperatures in Colorado have exposed the deep divide between the urban and rural areas of the state, with lawmakers criticizing Governor Jared Polis for his response.
While the state government claims it is not neglecting Colorado's ranchers and farmers, rural lawmakers argue that their communities are being overlooked in favor of the Denver metro area.
Republican Representative Ty Winter, who represents nine counties in Southeastern Colorado, along with three other rural lawmakers, penned a letter to Governor Polis urging him to support rural Coloradans as much as the urban areas. They questioned why it took a weather snap hitting the Front Range for an emergency declaration to be made.
In the letter, Winter highlighted the severe weather and blizzard conditions that the Eastern Plains endured over the last 10 days. He criticized the lack of an emergency declaration during that time when farmers, livestock producers, and rural families faced single-digit, below-zero temperatures and life-threatening conditions.
Rural communities like Bennett, represented by resident Athena Johnson, feel that they are left to take care of themselves. With no bus system or other means of transportation, the community relies on their own resources during challenging times.
In response, a spokesperson for the State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management clarified that the Governor's disaster declaration covers all impacted areas across the state, including the Eastern Plains.
Representative Winter and other rural lawmakers believe that the state needs to be more proactive in helping rural communities, which are dealing with staffing shortages and limited shelter space. They argue that when it comes to cold weather and human lives, politics should not come into play, and the state should prioritize the well-being of all Coloradans.
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The letter sent by Representative Ty Winter, Representative Richard Holtorf, Senator Rod Pelton, and Senator Byron Pelton to Governor Jared Polis emphasized the severity of the weather conditions on the Eastern Plains and called for equal aid to be provided to rural Coloradans.
The divide between urban and rural areas in Colorado is an ongoing challenge, and this recent episode has highlighted the need for a more comprehensive approach to address the needs of all communities, regardless of their location.